Hailing from one of the most important and interesting cities in the United States of America, Chicago, that is, Polyptych is a very pleasant surprise to my ears. I hadn’t heard the band’s début album named “Panels Engraved” and now I’m lucky enough to listen to the sophomore album in advance for a review. Mind you, first, that the band contacted the podcast I’m a member of, MetalCast Show, but as I’m more active on this website now, I decided to write the review for Metal-Maniac.

First, a few notes from the band and some technical information: the album will be released over the next few weeks, as I was informed. “Illusorium” was recorded at Groovemaster Studios in Chicago by Dave Kaminsky of Autolatry and mixed at Morrisound Studios in Temple Terrace, FL also by Dave, and then mastered by V. Santura (Triptykon, Dark Fortress) at Woodshed Studios in Landshut, Germany.

Well, you can obviously see that the band looked for quality when it comes to the production. I’ll be different today, I’ll talk about the production first and then the album, creating a bit of suspense, hehe. All I have to say about the production is that they’ve hit the spot, it is simply amazing. The work is indeed top-notch, very clear and admirable. It’s always better, when it is possible for the band, to listen to great music with a sound that helps increasing the experience.

Concerning the music, or the most important aspect of any review, as we might have some new readers because of this review, I’d like to point out that I prefer to share with you my emotions about the release and not the technical elements that might even turn the review boring (or writing a lot, like I’m doing now), as our usual and beloved readers are already aware. Of course it’s always needed a description of the music as well and I shall do this all on the following paragraph.

“Illusorium” is a freaking extraordinary album. There are absolutely no moments that you might think, oh, this is a filler song, this part is a bit boring, no, the entire release is fascinating, genuine and thrilling. It starts with Lèse Majesté an instrumental song, or an intro (obvious statement) that gives you the feeling that an assault is about to happen. And yes, it does happen.

We have here aery technical and brutal guitars and drumming work, intelligent use of synths, just to create an epic atmosphere, not over using it, a heavy and cool bass and the astonishing vocals, which could be described as a mix of black and death metal vocals, all creating a very technical blackened death metal musical style, but emphasizing again, that is never boring (as some people do find “technical metal” a bit boring).

The musicianship is outstanding; it feels like everything is working in perfect harmony. The art-work of the album, which some parts were shared by the band, was done by Chris Kiesling at Misanthropic-Art and it looks incredible. We can’t expect less than incredible from Misanthropic-Art.

And I kindly ask you to support the band the way that you are able to. They really deserve it. And I hope that Polyptych will be able to keep on releasing their music in the future to come. I know I would love this.